Summarise with a formula
Use COUNT to count numeric entries, COUNTA for non-empty cells, SUM for totals, and AVERAGE for a mean. Choose the calculation that matches the question. An average can hide large differences, so inspect the distribution when the spread matters.
Compare groups carefully
A PivotTable can group and summarise a tidy table without changing the source. Check that the fields use consistent labels and that totals agree with a direct count. Small groups can reveal a pattern but should not be treated as representative without context.
Try it
Calculate a count and total for a small dataset. Compare the result with a manually checked subset. State the denominator when reporting a percentage.
Key takeaways
- Choose calculations that answer the question.
- Verify summaries against the source data.
- Include denominators and context in comparisons.